Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Tuesday that the risk of a direct military confrontation between Russia and NATO is increasing and could have catastrophic consequences.
In comments published by the TASS news agency, Ryabkov said European states were increasingly discussing the possibility of an “intense war” with Russia while adopting what he described as hostile anti-Russian rhetoric.
He warned that rising tensions, including what Moscow sees as provocative nuclear-related steps by NATO countries, were increasing strategic risks and the danger of a direct clash between Russia and the alliance.
Western intelligence agencies and senior NATO officials have repeatedly warned since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine that Moscow could attempt to attack a NATO member state within the coming years.
